Word
maestro
Phoneticsmae·stro, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmaɪstɹoʊ/
UK/mˈaɪstɹəʊ/
Definitions
01music conductor
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Music Formal
n. a famous and talented person who leads an orchestra or writes music.
n. a distinguished conductor or composer of classical music. Often used as a title of respect.
“The maestro raised his baton, and the orchestra began to play.”
“After the final performance, the maestro was greeted with a ten-minute standing ovation from the appreciative audience.”
02master of a craft
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Humorous
n. someone who is extremely skilled at a specific job or activity.
n. a person who has mastered a specific art, craft, or professional field.
“My uncle is a maestro in the kitchen and can cook anything.”
“The lead developer was considered a maestro of coding, capable of solving complex architectural issues in a matter of hours.”
03prison leader
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Slang
n. a slang term for a powerful leader or elder within a prison gang.
n. a high-ranking member or elder within a prison hierarchy or gang structure.
“In the movie, the maestro controlled everything that happened inside the prison walls.”
“The documentary explored how the maestro maintained order among the inmates through a complex system of loyalty and fear.”
Usage
Often used as a respectful form of address or a title before a surname.
Real-World Examples
“Soumik Datta, maestro of Indian classical stringed instrument the sarod, releases his nature-inspired latest album, Melodies in Slow Motion.” “Peace and Justice (Flexatronic) is an enthralling session led by an overlooked multi-generic maestro, New York original and longtime Meredith Monk collaborator John Hollenbeck .” Etymology
Borrowed from Italian maestro, from Latin magistrum (“master”). Doublet of magister, master, and meister.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/maestro